Romford finally won an Essex Senior League game at Mayesbrook Park this season when Barking were beaten there 3-1 three weeks ago, but as that was an away fixture, Boro’s search for a first home win continues tomorrow with the visit of White Ensign, who are likely to include two ex-Boro men in their line-up in Henry Hart and Reece McGovern. For goalkeeper Brad Davison, this will be a first outing against his former team-mates after his move from Ensign to Boro during the summer.

Twelve of Boro’s fourteen points have been earned on their travels this season, so a home win is long overdue. In fact, the last time that Boro picked up maximum points from a home game was back in February when Saffron Walden Town were beaten 2-1 at Mayesbrook Park.

While Romford were falling to a 2-0 defeat at Ilford last Saturday, White Ensign fared rather better as they beat Sporting Bengal United 3-1 at Burroughs Park and it was one of their ex-Boro players – Henry Hart – who scored their first goal.

Previous Meetings:

White Ensign have the upper hand in previous matches between the teams with five wins to Boro’s one from seven meetings (six in the Essex Senior League and one in the Errington Challenge Cup). That win for Romford came in December 2023 when a late goal by Jacob Wiggins followed shortly after Finlay Dorrell had equalised to earn a hard fought 2-1 win.

Finlay Dorrell nets Boro’s equaliser in the game at Rookery Hill in December 2023

Last season’s encounters saw Ensign complete the double over Romford as they won 3-1 at Mayesbrook Park in a game that saw Boro keeper Harry Girling sent off in what would be his last appearance for the club. Kennedy Feyi scored Romford’s goal from the penalty spot. The return at Burroughs Park in the penultimate game of the campaign ended with White Ensign 3-0 winners.

This Season:

Twelfth in the table with 20 points from 15 games so far, White Ensign began their season with a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of SOUL Tower Hamlets, but they bounced back to defeat Barking 3-1 in their next fixture. Three of Ensign’s six league wins have come on their travels as they have earned maximum points at Athletic Newham, Hullbridge Sports, and Frenford, but they have been beaten at Halstead Town and Basildon United.

In the FA Cup, White Ensign fell at the first hurdle, beaten 2-0 at home by Sawbridgeworth Town. The FA Vase saw Ensign exempt to the Second Round following their run to the Fourth Round last season. They were unable to repeat that this time round however, as they lost 4-1 at home to Great Yarmouth Town.

Four former Romford players have featured for Ensign this season, as along with Henry Hart and Reece McGovern, Arnold Mengi and Kurt Smith have also turned out for them, although Mengi has subsequently left the club.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 21st November:
7.45pm Woodford Town v Saffron Walden Town

Saturday 22nd November:
3pm Athletic Newham v Hackney Wick
2pm Basildon United v Buckhurst Hill
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v Frenford
3pm Halstead Town v Benfleet
3pm Harwich & Parkeston v Hullbridge Sports
3pm Ilford v Sporting Bengal United
3pm Romford v White Ensign
3pm Soul Tower Hamlets v Little Oakley
3pm West Essex v Barking